SVA is probably like any other college, its a mixed bag. I won't say its neither good or bad, it just has its ups and downs.To start off, its in New York City on the east side. Its pretty easy to get to via subway. Its not bad if you are a commuter from New Jersey, Long Island, or upstate New York. The college has an all around good reputation, and is considered to be one of the better art schools in America. That doesn't necessiarly mean that's true, but many of the teachers preach that. I personally can't say, since this is the only "art" school I have attended.
I am going into my third year at SVA as a screenwriting major in the Film and Video Department. I am a commuter from Long Island, so I can't say I know everything there is to know about the school. So here's what I do know:
The cafeteria is edible to say the least. There's plenty of chinese, sushi, pizza, and fast food places nearby so its no big deal. There are several dorms, the two I've seen are The George Washington and the New Residence. The George Washington is two blocks from the main building and has single rooms. They're small, but at least you get your own space. I've heard people complain of roaches though. The building has a weird funk though. The New Residence is right next door to the main building and is much nicer looking, but you live in a suite with 4 to 6 other people and share a bathroom. Need I say more? My first year I DJed for about four weeks an the SVA radio station. My only complaint was, no one listened to the radio station. It is on AM frequency, and could only be picked up if you stood in front of the building. But, you could listen to the radio station via the SVA intranet. But that usually wasn't working.
Most of the teachers I've had have been in the film department. Some of them are really good, knowledgable, and continue to work in their fields. Others are bitter, cold, and don't convey their knowledge very well to the students. Some have been teaching so long at SVA, they don't know exactly what's going in the film industry. But for the most part, the teachers I've had have been pretty cool.
The Office of Student Accounts is pretty helpful. As was admissisons, registrar, and the other offices I've had to deal with so far.
The student body is probably my biggest problem. The majority of the film students I've met are generally close-minded, arrogant, self-centered, and are in competition to outdo everyone else in their classes. This is not everyone though, this is what I've run into. These students however, seem to forget we are all here to learn. Some of them can get very jealous and even get vicious. Some students I wonder how they got into SVA. They have poor attitudes, they're depressed, complain a lot, and are constantly talking behind people's backs. They show no talent, but preach how they are the most talented one in the class. But as I said, this isn't everyone in the school. It seems to be the majority in my classes. I have met some of the most interesting and coolest people I know at SVA.
My favorite thing about SVA is that classes are once a week. My first year I only went for 3 days a week and got all my required number of credits. This past year I only went 2 days a week and still got all my credits. I had time to work and do my school work without being stressed out. Plus, SVA doesn't require that you have to take a math class to graduate. I'm bad at math so this is one of the strong points as to why I still go to SVA. However, since class is one day a week, some classes are 4 hours, and some are even 6 hours long.SVA isn't bad but it isn't spectacular. I've learned a great deal from some of my classes. In others I didn't learn anything. Most of the teachers I've had so far have been awesome, but some are really bitter. I can't say I recommend SVA, but its worth checking out if you're interested in film.
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